Safety detent for split switches



A rii 1, 1924.- 1,489,179

J.'WATKINS ET AL SAFETY DETENT FOR SPLIT SWITCHES Filed March 12. 1925 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOSEPH WATKIN S, OF FORT WAYNE, IN DIANA, AND FORD D. ECHLER, OF WES-T UNITY, OHIO.

SAFETY DETENT FOR SPLIT SWITCHES.

the county of Williams and State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Detents for Split.

Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in safety detents for sp-lit switches of that class employed for holding the switch in closed position. The object of the improvement is to provide a detent for holding a switch point in closed position independently operable respecting the switch stand or other mechanism for throwing the switch. It frequently occurs in railway operations that the stand for operating the switch is broken away from its connection with .the switch, and the switch is left loose without any means of preventing it from opening with more or less serious consequences. The present invention is intended as an expedient for retaining the switch in closed position even though the switch operating mechanism becomes completely disabled. Another object is to so construct the device as to be operated by the movement of the switch itself, and also in such manneras not to interfere with the switch while in open position.

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a split switch and its operating mechanism, and including also the present invention applied to the switch; and

Fig. 2 is a side view of a construction embodying the invention showing the same in connection with a railroad stock rail and corresponding switch point. i

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters The invention comprises a housing 1 having a cover 2 which is held thereon by lagscrews 3 that extend through the cover and the housing into the head block 4 against the side of which the'housing is secured.

At one end of the. housing, projecting from the top thereof, is a. jaw 5 that fits over the adjacent side of the foot of the stock-rail 6. Within the housing is a longitudinally movable latch-bar 7 in the underside of which is made a recess 8, there being an angular shoulder 9 at one end of the recess. One end of the bar extends through the end of the housing beneath the jaw 5 and has a pin 10 upon which is secured an eyebolt 11. The switch point 12 has connection with the eyebolt 11 through the medium of a bracket 13 that is rivited to the switch point and is held between lock nuts 14: on the eyebolt. Thus, when the switch point is moved open or closed, longitudinal movement will be in1- parted to the latch-bar accordingly.

In the lower part of the housing is an inclined face 15 at the upper end of which is formed a recess 16, and arranged partially in said recess 16 and in the recess 8 in the bar is a movable head 17 that has a stem 18 extending loosely through a lug 19 fixed in the housing, there being a compression spring 20 on the stem between the head and the lug. The head 17 has rollers 21 and 22 that bear respectively against the bar 7 and the face 15.

Inthe operation of the invention, when the switch point is closed the latch-bar is held in its innermost position by the head 17 which bears with the force of the compression spring against the shoulder 9 on the bar, and thus the switch point is retained in closed position. When the switch point is opened by the switch operating mechanism 23, the latcl1bar 7 is drawn out accordingly and the head 17 isforcibly moved against the compression of the spring until it passes downwardly upon the inclined face 15 to such an extent that it becomes disengaged from the shoulder 9 and thus releasing .the bar. While the switch point is in its open position, the latch-bar is relieved of the end thrust of the head as at such times the head bears upwardly against the bottom face of the latch-bar, so that said bar may be moved freely. As the switch point is closed, the bar is moved inwardly so that the head re-enters the recess S'therein and bears against the shoulder tensionally, holding the latch-bar in its innermost position. In this manner when the switch point is closed it tends to remain closed, and when opened is free to remain open even though the switch operating mechanism be disconnected entirely. V

The housing is preferably designed so that when in place its top, with the exception of its jaw '5 will lie in the plane of the tops of the head block and ties 24- where it will not be exposed .to accidental disloc gment.

Vvhat we claim is 1. In a safety detent device for a split switch having a movable switch member, a housing; a longitudinally movable latch bar in the housing; having a recess and shoulder; an adjustable connecting means between the latch-bar and the movable switch member; an inclined face formed in the housing opposite the recess in the latch-bar and a spring pressed member having hearing relation against the shoulder of the latch member and said inclined face.

2. In a safety detent device for a switch having a movable switch member, a fixed 7 housing having therein an inclined face; a

latch-bar having a shoulder and operative relation with the switch member, said latchbar extending into the housing; and a spring pressed movable member bearing on said inclined face and having engaging relation with the shoulder on the latch-bar.

3. In combination with a railway track including a movable switch-member and actuating means therefor, a latch-bar having operable relation with the switch member independent of the switch actuating means; and a spring pressed member operable to yieldingly detain the latch-bar when the switch member is closed.

I. In combination with a movable switch member, a latch-bar movable with the switch-member; and a spring actuated member operable to yieldingly detain the latchbar when the switch member is closed, and being movable from detaining engagement with the latch-bar when the switch member is opened.

5. In combination with a switch member and actuating means therefor, a sliding latch-bar having operable relation with the switch member independent of said actuating means; and a spring pressed member having detaining engagement with the latclrbar when the switch member is closed and being movable by the latch-bar from detaining engagement therewith when the switch member is opened.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

' FORD D. EGHLER.

JOSEPH' IVATKINS.

IVitnesses:

MATILDA Mnrrnnn, WALTER G. BURNS. 

